Response | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/series/response
The Response column offers those who have been written about in the Guardian an opportunity to reply. If you wish to respond, at greater length than in a letter, to an article in which you have featured, please email response@guardian.co.uken-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Tue, 26 Sep 2017 22:31:30 GMT2017-09-26T22:31:30Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
London, far from being toxic, is leading the way in tackling air pollution | Matthew Pencharzhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/24/response-matthew-pencharz-london-air-pollution-zoe-williams
If Zoe Williams cycled in Beijing, Mexico City or Delhi, she’d quickly realise how much better we at City Hall tackle air quality<p>Following Zoe Williams’s <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/08/london-toxic-oxford-street-polluted-boris-johnson" title="">article on pollution in the capital</a> I’d like to reassure readers that the recent spate of alarmist claims are ridiculous and taken out of context (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/08/london-toxic-oxford-street-polluted-boris-johnson" title="">Welcome to London – the planet’s most toxic town</a>, 8 July).</p><p>Emissions research “has found nitrogen dioxide concentrations on Oxford Street to be worse than they are anywhere else on Earth”, Williams says. Anyone who has visited Beijing, Mexico City or Delhi really knows what bad air pollution looks and feels like. Pollution levels in London are in fact lower than in many other world cities: average levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from monitoring sites near busy roads in Stuttgart, Paris, Munich, Rome and Milan are all higher than those recorded for London.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/24/response-matthew-pencharz-london-air-pollution-zoe-williams">Continue reading...</a>UK newsCyclingLife and styleLondonCitiesPollutionEnvironmentThu, 24 Jul 2014 18:31:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/24/response-matthew-pencharz-london-air-pollution-zoe-williamsPhotograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesA cyclist passes buses and taxis in London's Oxford Street. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesA cyclist passes buses and taxis in London's Oxford Street. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesMatthew Pencharz2014-07-24T18:31:51ZExtremist? Steiner schools are no such thing | Sylvie Sklanhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/22/extremist-criticism-steiner-schools
We don't operate in secret, and our methods have been proven by 100 years of success, says Sylvie Sklan<p>Laura McInerney compares Steiner schools to religious fundamentalist schools based on the fact that "views [in Steiner schools] also fall outside 'the norm'" (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/17/trojan-horse-some-extremists-more-acceptable" title="">Trojan horse: why some 'extremists' are more acceptable than others</a>, 17 June). This misses the point. The educational practices in our schools may have been created as a result of the personal insights of Rudolf Steiner, but they have endured because their effectiveness has been shown over nearly 100 years.</p><p>McInerney also argues that the government's actions in Birmingham are in sharp contrast to its support for, and secrecy over, Steiner schools. There has been nothing secret about this government's – and the previous administration's – support for the principle that mainstream provision benefits by including different models of education.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/22/extremist-criticism-steiner-schools">Continue reading...</a>EducationFaith schoolsSchoolsOfstedTue, 22 Jul 2014 06:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/22/extremist-criticism-steiner-schoolsPhotograph: Jim WilemanChildren at the Steiner School in Exeter, Devon. 'Steiner education is a pragmatic, caring education in tune with the needs of the child.'
Photograph: Jim WilemanPhotograph: Jim WilemanChildren at the Steiner School in Exeter, Devon. 'Steiner education is a pragmatic, caring education in tune with the needs of the child.'
Photograph: Jim WilemanSylvie Sklan2014-07-22T06:00:08ZOur university campaigning is no 'charade' | Sally Hunthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/21/no-university-campaigning-union-charade
The malaise in higher education is not our fault – we fight every day for people who are struggling<p>Professor Peter Scott is right in his assertion that our universities are spending with largesse on new buildings and senior managers' pay, which can only be afforded by holding down salaries for most of their staff (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jul/01/underpaid-academics-need-stronger-unions" title="">Our underpaid academics need stronger unions</a>, 1 July).</p><p>However, rather than address the failings, particularly by those at the top, Scott blames the malaise of the sector and the low levels of morale on the one organisation fighting for staff – the University and College Union. He says: "Trade unions have become too weak – for their members, and the public, good." And he continues: "Every year or so the same charade repeats itself. The University and College Union breathes fire and threatens one-day strikes and exam boycotts. Vice-chancellors talk tough, although they know there is absolutely no threat. Then it all fizzles out."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/21/no-university-campaigning-union-charade">Continue reading...</a>Higher educationEducationTrade unionsMon, 21 Jul 2014 17:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/21/no-university-campaigning-union-charadePhotograph: Graeme Robertson'University and College Union members have seen their pay cut by 13% since 2009.' Photograph: Graeme RobertsonPhotograph: Graeme Robertson'University and College Union members have seen their pay cut by 13% since 2009.' Photograph: Graeme RobertsonSally Hunt2014-07-21T17:30:00ZOpen data is a public good. It should not be confused with data sharing | Jeni Tennisonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/12/response-confuse-open-data-sharing-government
There is lots of data within the public sector that should be open. This ensures a level playing field for everyone who can benefit<p>Your leader column on open data paints a picture of government "approaching the whole open data project with the subtlety of a smash-and-grab raider" in its "attempt to monetise data" (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/18/open-data-whitehall-government-editorial" title="">Open data: slow down,</a> 18 April). But what this, and the rest of the article, refers to, is not open data but shared data.</p><p>This confusion is understandable when the government tries to justify its data sharing as satisfying its wider open-data policy. But we need to be careful with our terminology to avoid throwing the baby out with the bath water.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/12/response-confuse-open-data-sharing-government">Continue reading...</a>Government dataData protectionData and computer securityPoliticsTechnologyUK newsMon, 12 May 2014 16:25:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/12/response-confuse-open-data-sharing-governmentPhotograph: Rex Features'At the Open Data Institute we believe that the government should move away from restricted data sharing and towards open data.' Photograph: Rex FeaturesPhotograph: Rex Features'At the Open Data Institute we believe that the government should move away from restricted data sharing and towards open data.' Photograph: Rex FeaturesJeni Tennison2014-05-12T16:25:04ZStuart Heritage, please don't encourage our fear of strangers | Polly Akhursthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/28/talking-strangers-stuart-heritage-response
It's time we started talking to people we don't know. The benefits of sharing ideas and laughter are worth the punt<p>Stuart Heritage criticises the idea of our <a href="http://talktomelondon.org/home" title="">Talk to Me London Day</a> (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/06/london-is-an-unfriendly-city" title="">Yes, London is an unfriendly city – and long may it stay that way</a>, 6 April). "Talk? To strangers? Isn't that the opposite of everything we were taught at school?" he asks.</p><p>It's true that the fear of talking to people we don't know is instilled in us at a young age; strangers are an unknown and the unknown fills us with fear. But isn't part of the fear simply being thought of as strange ourselves?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/28/talking-strangers-stuart-heritage-response">Continue reading...</a>LondonCitiesRelationshipsLife and styleSocietyUK newsMon, 28 Apr 2014 16:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/28/talking-strangers-stuart-heritage-responsePhotograph: Andy Rain/EPA'Strangers are an unknown and the unknown fills us with fear. But isn't part of the fear simply being thought of as strange ourselves?' Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAPhotograph: Andy Rain/EPA'Strangers are an unknown and the unknown fills us with fear. But isn't part of the fear simply being thought of as strange ourselves?' Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAPolly Akhurst2014-04-28T16:30:00ZA threat to democracy? The EU-US trade deal is no such thing | Ken Clarkehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/13/eu-us-trade-deal-no-threat-democracy-monbiot-transatlantic-partnership
George Monbiot paints the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership as a corporate plot. It's a bizarre overreaction<p>George Monbiot is convinced that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is the latest attempt by "corporations" to undermine democracy (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/10/eu-us-trade-deal-give-corporations-take" title="Guardian: Give and take? Sure. We give and the corporations take">Give and take? Sure. We give and the corporations take</a>, 11 March). His is a most peculiar interpretation of ongoing negotiations between the EU and the United States.</p><p>"Corporate lobbyists secretly boasted that they would 'essentially co-write regulation'," Monbiot states. He made no mention of the benefits of a successful trade agreement, on both sides of the Atlantic. By joining together the world's two largest free-trade blocks, the deal will create the largest single market ever known. By best estimates, it will deliver a £10bn annual boost to the British economy alone, increase collective output by as much as £180bn, create thousands of jobs, and deliver lower prices and more choice to consumers.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/13/eu-us-trade-deal-no-threat-democracy-monbiot-transatlantic-partnership">Continue reading...</a>Economic policyEuropean UnionForeign policyUS newsPoliticsBusinessUK newsWorld newsEuropeGlobal economyEconomicsUS foreign policyThu, 13 Mar 2014 15:59:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/13/eu-us-trade-deal-no-threat-democracy-monbiot-transatlantic-partnershipPhotograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images'US cars are no less safe than those in Europe, yet having two sets of regulation loads extra costs on to exporters and consumers.' Photograph: Bloomberg/GettyPhotograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images'US cars are no less safe than those in Europe, yet having two sets of regulation loads extra costs on to exporters and consumers.' Photograph: Bloomberg/GettyKen Clarke2014-03-13T15:59:39ZFarming won't save the elephants – Simon Jenkins' premise is a fantasy | Will Travershttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/02/farming-wont-save-elephants-simon-jenkins-ivory-trade
Lifting ivory trade bans would only increase demand, stimulate illegal poaching and increase the bloodshed<p>"Ivory is the cocaine of south-east Asia," asserts Simon Jenkins (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/13/save-elephants-farm-them-ivory-tusks" title="">If you really want to save the elephants, farm them</a>, 14 February). He's right in that ivory and rhino horn, like cocaine, are expensive, and that both trades costs lives. But in almost every other respect his analogy is way off the mark.</p><p>Global organised crime syndicates ruthlessly exploit the miserable, addictive nature of drugs to make massive profits. But ivory is not a drug; it is not addictive. It is an item of adornment, a middle-class status symbol. The killing is driven by human vanity and greed.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/02/farming-wont-save-elephants-simon-jenkins-ivory-trade">Continue reading...</a>Illegal wildlife tradeWildlifeConservationAnimalsEnvironmentSun, 02 Mar 2014 20:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/02/farming-wont-save-elephants-simon-jenkins-ivory-tradePhotograph: Eric Nathan / Alamy/Alamy‘The trade ban in southern Africa caused the price of illegal ivory to collapse and elephant numbers to stabilise or recover.' Photograph: Eric Nathan / AlamyPhotograph: Eric Nathan / Alamy/Alamy‘The trade ban in southern Africa caused the price of illegal ivory to collapse and elephant numbers to stabilise or recover.' Photograph: Eric Nathan / AlamyWill Travers2014-03-02T20:30:00ZOur Bafta afterparty was great – maybe Hadley Freeman just left too soon? | Harvey Weinsteinhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/02/bafta-afterparty-hadley-freeman-films-end
No one has ever reviewed one of my parties before but, just like a movie, if you plan to then at least stay until the end<p>I have always enjoyed Hadley Freeman's articles, but I was surprised by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/17/baftas-2014-afterparty-stars-celebrities" title="">her piece about our Bafta awards afterparty</a> at the Rosewood (The award for the best afterparty goes to ... 18 February). I have been reviewed and criticised for many movies in the past, but no one has ever reviewed one of my parties … or not, at least, before they have even gotten started properly.</p><p>Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the fun photos of Oprah, Naomi Campbell, Rita Ora and my wife, Georgina, at the party featured in her article pose a strange juxtaposition to the less-than-enthusiastic description her words gave. "For about 45 minutes, the only people in the enormous dining room are myself and a regiment of bossy PR women in tiny black dresses, barking into their headsets."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/02/bafta-afterparty-hadley-freeman-films-end">Continue reading...</a>BaftasAwards and prizesFilmUK newsUS newsWorld newsSun, 02 Mar 2014 19:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/02/bafta-afterparty-hadley-freeman-films-endPhotograph: David M. Benett/GettyMaggie Gyllenhaal at the Weinstein Bafta afterparty. ‘Next time Hadley Freeman comes to one of our parties she should relax, loosen up, have a glass of champagne and be sure to stay the whole night and really, truly … enjoy herself.' Photograph: David M. Benett/GettyPhotograph: David M. Benett/GettyMaggie Gyllenhaal at the Weinstein Bafta afterparty. ‘Next time Hadley Freeman comes to one of our parties she should relax, loosen up, have a glass of champagne and be sure to stay the whole night and really, truly … enjoy herself.' Photograph: David M. Benett/GettyHarvey Weinstein2014-03-02T19:00:00ZDon't claim we didn't act on gangmasters after Morecambe Bay | Paul Broadbenthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/16/tragedies-morecambe-bay-gangmasters-organised-crime
Following the tragedy 10 years ago, we've clamped down on organised crime and illegal workers. It's far less likely to happen again<p>A decade on from that terrible night when 23 men and women lost their lives searching for cockles, Hsiao-Hung Pai <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/03/morecambe-bay-cockle-pickers-tragedy" title="">questions whether a similar tragedy could occur</a> (Remember Morecambe Bay? Nothing has changed, 4 February). However, her argument makes little reference to the many measures put in place since 2004.</p><p>The <a href="http://gla.defra.gov.uk/" title="">Gangmasters Licensing Authority</a> (GLA) regulates all businesses supplying temporary workers for gathering shellfish. Since we started operating in 2006, anyone providing workers to gather shellfish on a commercial scale must be licensed and operate within our stringent standards.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/16/tragedies-morecambe-bay-gangmasters-organised-crime">Continue reading...</a>Organised crimeWorld newsLawHuman traffickingEmployment lawSun, 16 Feb 2014 21:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/16/tragedies-morecambe-bay-gangmasters-organised-crimePhotograph: Don McPheeFlowers left for Chinese cocklers who lost their lives at Morecambe Bay 10 years ago. 'The beds of Morecambe Bay have been closed for commercial gathering for more than six years.' Photograph: Don McPheePhotograph: Don McPheeFlowers left for Chinese cocklers who lost their lives at Morecambe Bay 10 years ago. 'The beds of Morecambe Bay have been closed for commercial gathering for more than six years.' Photograph: Don McPheePaul Broadbent2014-02-16T21:00:01ZIt's wrong to suggest poverty is a reason not to support action against smoking | Kevin Barronhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/16/wrong-poverty-smoking-cars-children-inequality
Banning smoking in cars with children present will help to address health inequality. People on the left should support the legislation<p>Zoe Williams <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/11/in-car-smoking-ban-mps-children-poor-parents" title="">seems to be arguing</a> that we should not legislate to prevent smoking in cars with children present because "it stamps into public lore an image that fixates conservative opinion – that of the negligent parent"; and "who makes the best parent? The middle class, of course" (The hidden agenda behind the ban on in-car smoking, 12 February).</p><p>First, it should be remembered that ending smoking in cars with children was only part of the package of tobacco control measures agreed by parliament as part of the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/10/mps-smoking-ban-cars-children" title="">children and families bill</a>. The others included the introduction of standardised packaging for cigarettes and other tobacco products – a measure aimed squarely at the tobacco firms, their marketing strategy and the vast profits they make from pushing addiction and disease. Williams doesn't mention that – it would spoil her narrative.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/16/wrong-poverty-smoking-cars-children-inequality">Continue reading...</a>SmokingSocietyHealthPovertyInequalityHealth policyPoliticsSun, 16 Feb 2014 13:55:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/16/wrong-poverty-smoking-cars-children-inequalityPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PA‘The claim that we should not act to prevent one bad thing, because there are other bad things that we are not preventing at the same time is a fallacy usually perpetrated by reactionaries.’ Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PA‘The claim that we should not act to prevent one bad thing, because there are other bad things that we are not preventing at the same time is a fallacy usually perpetrated by reactionaries.’ Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAKevin Barron2014-02-16T13:55:14ZThe future for schools is partnership, not apartheid | Anthony Seldonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/27/future-schools-partnership-apartheid-state-private
Disparaging our attempts to forge closer bonds between state and private schools won't help bridge the divide<p>In his disparaging article (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/19/private-sector-teach-state-schools-independent-head" title="">What exactly can private schools teach the state sector?</a>, 19 January), John Harris denies that "state schools have a lot to learn from fee-paying" schools. He believes that the faltering efforts of the latter to engage are motivated merely by a desire "to justify their charitable status". It is a counsel of despair.</p><p>Britain has a uniquely divided education system that both reflects and in turn shapes our divided society. To Harris, schools have "no responsibility for dealing with the symptoms of an increasingly unequal economy and society". How odd. I believe that the best way to address our polarised education system and society is for both school sectors to learn from each other, and the closer they bond, the better for all.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/27/future-schools-partnership-apartheid-state-private">Continue reading...</a>EducationSchoolsPrivate schoolsAcademiesMon, 27 Jan 2014 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/27/future-schools-partnership-apartheid-state-privatePhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesEton is one of several independent schools involved in sponsoring or partnering academies and free schools. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesEton is one of several independent schools involved in sponsoring or partnering academies and free schools. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesAnthony Seldon2014-01-27T08:00:00ZThis is not censorship creep. Parents need help to protect their children from pornography | John Carrhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/censorship-parents-children-web-filters-pornography
Internet filters are not oppressive. What parent would want their child to see rape and dismemberment?<p>Laurie Penny is wrong to characterise the new approach to the provision of internet filters – to make them more readily available to parents who want to protect their children from age-inappropriate content – as a Tory plot (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/03/david-cameron-internet-porn-filter-censorship-creep" title="">Cameron's "porn" filter is a mask for censorship creep</a>, 3 January).</p><p>I was closely involved in many of the discussions and negotiations that led to the UK's "big four" internet service providers taking this action. It is true that the prime minister strongly supports the greater use of filters, but so do the Labour party and a number of civil society and children's organisations.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/censorship-parents-children-web-filters-pornography">Continue reading...</a>Web filteringChild protectionInternetTechnologyChildrenSocial careSocietyISPsUK newsWed, 15 Jan 2014 18:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/censorship-parents-children-web-filters-pornographyPhotograph: Utiwamoj/Alamy'Mobile phone companies have had default filters in place since 2005; ISPs are just catching up.' Photograph: Utiwamoj/AlamyPhotograph: Utiwamoj/Alamy'Mobile phone companies have had default filters in place since 2005; ISPs are just catching up.' Photograph: Utiwamoj/AlamyJohn Carr2014-01-15T18:05:00ZPolly Toynbee should not call us nefarious. Conservatives genuinely care about the NHS | Jeremy Hunthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/polly-toynbee-conservatives-care-about-nhs
It's wrong to write off our improvements to the health service. We're committed to rooting out poor quality treatment<p>Polly Toynbee asserted that I am&nbsp;"keen to ferret out bad treatment, if only for nefarious political purposes" (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/07/climate-of-diktat-and-fear-nhs" title="">The new climate of diktat and fear sweeping&nbsp;the&nbsp;NHS</a>,7&nbsp;January).</p><p>Toynbee is well informed on many things but wrong on this. Rooting out poor care in the NHS is the toughest challenge facing any health secretary. When there is so much brilliant care, and NHS staff are working so hard, it is unbelievably difficult to shine a spotlight on where things have gone wrong. But it is not right to applaud left-leaning politicians who try to improve services for the poorest while writing off Conservatives doing the same thing as "political" or "nefarious".</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/polly-toynbee-conservatives-care-about-nhs">Continue reading...</a>NHSConservativesHealthSocietyPoliticsUK newsWed, 15 Jan 2014 16:50:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/polly-toynbee-conservatives-care-about-nhsPhotograph: David Sillitoe/Guardian‘When there is so much brilliant care it is unbelievably difficult to shine a ­spotlight on where things have gone wrong.' Photograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianPhotograph: David Sillitoe/Guardian‘When there is so much brilliant care it is unbelievably difficult to shine a ­spotlight on where things have gone wrong.' Photograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianJeremy Hunt2014-01-15T16:50:00ZPhilip Hammond ignores the truth about drone atrocities | Clive Stafford Smithhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/20/philip-hammond-drones-truth-atrocities-pakistan-yemen-attacks
Drones are killing civilians in Pakistan and Yemen, while Britain refuses to admit its co-operation with illegal US attacks<p>The defence secretary, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/18/in-defence-of-drones-keep-civilians-troops-safe" title="">Philip Hammond, would apparently like us to focus on the kinder face of the "Remotely Piloted Air System", known as the RPA</a>, in his article In defence of drones.</p><p>Hammond takes issue with "the picture of devastation so often painted by [drone] activists". But critics are not nearly as effective as the manufacturers themselves when it comes to making drones sound evil. General Atomics decided on the name Predator drone. And the Reaper surely attracts the image of the Grim Reaper, harvesting the souls of those damned with its <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/23/israel6" title="">Hellfire missiles</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/20/philip-hammond-drones-truth-atrocities-pakistan-yemen-attacks">Continue reading...</a>Drones (military)Philip HammondDefence policyAfghanistanYemenPakistanMilitaryUK newsMinistry of DefenceFri, 20 Dec 2013 10:31:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/20/philip-hammond-drones-truth-atrocities-pakistan-yemen-attacksPhotograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA US Predator drone flying over Afghanistan. 'Critics are not nearly as effective as the manufacturers themselves when it comes to making drones sound evil.' Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/APPhotograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/APA US Predator drone flying over Afghanistan. 'Critics are not nearly as effective as the manufacturers themselves when it comes to making drones sound evil.' Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/APClive Stafford Smith2013-12-20T10:31:32ZYou're wrong, George Monbiot – there is nothing secret about this EU trade deal | Karel De Guchthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/18/wrong-george-monbiot-nothing-secret-eu-trade-deal
Our negotiations over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership are fully&nbsp;open to scrutiny, and&nbsp;Europe will benefit<p>George Monbiot, in his article on the negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, claims the European commission has tried to "keep this process quiet" (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/02/transatlantic-free-trade-deal-regulation-by-lawyers-eu-us" title="">Chickens in chlorine? It's what free trade's about</a>, 3 December). This is laughable. Every step of these negotiations has been publicly announced and widely reported in the press. The commission has regularly consulted a broad range of civil society organisations in writing and in person, and our most recent meeting had 350 participants from trade unions, NGOs and business.</p><p>Monbiot says our communications strategy "involves, to use the commission's chilling phrase, the 'management of stakeholders, social media and transparency'". The fact that we have a communications strategy is not "chilling" but rather evidence of our willingness to engage in an open debate.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/18/wrong-george-monbiot-nothing-secret-eu-trade-deal">Continue reading...</a>European UnionEuropeWorld newsUS newsWed, 18 Dec 2013 06:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/18/wrong-george-monbiot-nothing-secret-eu-trade-dealPhotograph: Jeff Spielman/Getty Images'We will eliminate any conflicts of interest – the arbitrators who decide on EU cases must be above suspicion'. Photograph: Jeff Spielman/GettyPhotograph: Jeff Spielman/Getty Images'We will eliminate any conflicts of interest – the arbitrators who decide on EU cases must be above suspicion'. Photograph: Jeff Spielman/GettyKarel De Gucht2013-12-18T06:00:01ZDon't tell women MPs to 'man up'. We're tough enough already | Diana Johnsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/05/women-mps-tough-man-up
Melissa Kite is wrong. Women MPs run departments, lead debates and hold&nbsp;ministers to account<p>Melissa Kite asks why "women still find life in the Commons so unbearable", telling us to "toughen up" (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/28/women-mps-battleaxes-not-shrinking-violets" title="">Man up, women MPs</a>, 29 November). If that's her view, she should wise up.</p><p>Kite talks of "a growing exodus of recently elected women 'rising stars' forced out tragically early by the macho posturing in parliament". The subtext is that if we can't stand the heat, get back to the kitchen. But as a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/01/women-in-politics" title="">Guardian leader</a> column helpfully pointed out, the number of women MPs standing down is not disproportionate compared with men.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/05/women-mps-tough-man-up">Continue reading...</a>Women in politicsGenderWorld newsUK newsWomenPoliticsThu, 05 Dec 2013 21:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/05/women-mps-tough-man-upPhotograph: PA‘Some of our best parliamentary select committee chairs are women, such as Margaret Hodge.’ Photograph: PAPhotograph: PA‘Some of our best parliamentary select committee chairs are women, such as Margaret Hodge.’ Photograph: PADiana Johnson2013-12-05T21:00:00ZNo, we're not ashamed about giving mothers financial incentives to breastfeed | Clare Reltonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/20/not-ashamed-giving-mothers-incentives-breastfeed
We want to help a shift from infant formula milk feeding. Mothers are signing up to our scheme<p>Joanna Moorhead describes our research as <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/worst-breastfeeding-initiative-shopping-vouchers" title="">"the worst breastfeeding initiative I've ever come across"</a>, and denounces our research team – for which I am the principal investigator – with the cry, "shame on them" (When breast is worst, 13 November).</p><p>Well, we have no shame here about the intervention we're testing – financial incentives for mothers to breastfeed in areas with low 6-to-8 week breastfeeding rates. Though a new idea in Britain, financial incentives are given for six months in Quebec, Canada, where mums are paid $55 (£32.50) each month they breastfeed, and <a href="http://nac.nic.in/pdf/nfsb_final.pdf" title="">in India where breastfeeding mums are entitled to free food daily</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/20/not-ashamed-giving-mothers-incentives-breastfeed">Continue reading...</a>BreastfeedingParents and parentingLife and styleHealth & wellbeingWed, 20 Nov 2013 19:45:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/20/not-ashamed-giving-mothers-incentives-breastfeedPhotograph: Yui Mok/PA'Offering financial incentives to mothers is just one of a range of possible interventions that might help a shift from infant formula feeding to breastmilk feeding.' Photograph: Yui Mok/PAPhotograph: Yui Mok/PA'Offering financial incentives to mothers is just one of a range of possible interventions that might help a shift from infant formula feeding to breastmilk feeding.' Photograph: Yui Mok/PAClare Relton2013-11-20T19:45:21ZNo, literature is not going to be stripped out of English GCSE | Elizabeth Trusshttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/literature-not-stripped-out-of-english-gcse
Polly Toynbee is wrong to claim that our reforms will narrow the scope of our children's education to serve exams<p>Polly Toynbee argues that Michael Gove is like Dickens' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gradgrind" title="">Thomas Gradgrind</a>, fixated upon "nothing but facts" (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/gove-austen-orwell-dickens-die-out" title="">Austen, Orwell and Dickens will die out in Gove's world</a>, 5 November). She states that "English literature is to be stripped out of the core English GCSE exam", and likens this to "cleansing the curriculum".</p><p>In fact the study of literature for all 11- to 14-year-olds requires wider reading now than ever before – an immersion in prose, poetry and drama from before and after 1914, in seminal world literature and Shakespeare. Study of our greatest dramatist has been enhanced, with children required to read two whole Shakespeare plays between the ages of 11 and 14 rather than just part of one, as before.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/literature-not-stripped-out-of-english-gcse">Continue reading...</a>English and creative writingEducationEnglish baccalaureateSchoolsGCSEsTue, 12 Nov 2013 20:45:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/literature-not-stripped-out-of-english-gcsePhotograph: Alamy‘Our new accountability measure for schools will reward those that enter students for a broad and balanced mix of eight subjects at 16.' Photograph: AlamyPhotograph: Alamy‘Our new accountability measure for schools will reward those that enter students for a broad and balanced mix of eight subjects at 16.' Photograph: AlamyElizabeth Truss2013-11-12T20:45:00ZNo, Zac Goldsmith, golden rice is not 'evil GM'. It saves people's lives | Adrian Dubockhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/04/response-zac-goldsmith-golden-rice-gm-food
Lack of vitamin A kills 6,000 children a day, and genetically modified rice meets the needs of those who can't afford alternatives<p>Tory MP Zac Goldsmith turns his fire on genetically modified food with an outburst of tired and wrongheaded myths (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/24/owen-paterson-minister-gm-hype" title="">The minister for GM hype</a>, 25 October). Goldsmith focuses in particular on "golden rice", genetically modified to tackle blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency, but seems more concerned with ridding the world of "evil GM" than using the technique to help people. "Commentators are wondering why hi-tech golden rice should be hailed as a solution to a problem that could be solved far more cheaply and quickly with the supply of green vegetables and&nbsp;cheap supplements," he says.</p><p>Vitamin A deficiency is, despite existing interventions, the biggest cause&nbsp;of childhood blindness, and responsible for about 28% of child mortality globally, killing about 6,000 children every day. That's more deaths than from HIV/Aids, TB or malaria. White rice feeds half the world daily and does not provide vitamin A, while the potential of golden rice to prevent this shameful situation has been proven.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/04/response-zac-goldsmith-golden-rice-gm-food">Continue reading...</a>GMFoodFood povertySocietyZac GoldsmithPoliticsMon, 04 Nov 2013 19:30:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/04/response-zac-goldsmith-golden-rice-gm-foodPhotograph: Str/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople who can't afford alternative sources of vitamin A often rely heavily on rice - which sometimes constitutes 90% of their daily food. Photograph: Str/AFP/GettyPhotograph: Str/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople who can't afford alternative sources of vitamin A often rely heavily on rice - which sometimes constitutes 90% of their daily food. Photograph: Str/AFP/GettyAdrian Dubock2013-11-04T19:30:11ZNo, liberals should not be uneasy about Englishness | Sunder Katwalahttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/28/liberals-englishness-flags-national-holidays
It's wrong to feel queasy about flags and national holidays. They help build an identity for us all to share<p>The most surprising aspect of David Edgar's engaged but sceptical take on the "festival of Englishness" hosted by the IPPR thinktank and British Future is his fear that anxious public debates about immigration may reinforce "the idea that deep down, there still ain't no black in the union jack" <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/21/questions-about-englishness-raise-problems" title="">(Questions about Englishness raise more problems than they can solve, 21 October</a>).</p><p>The question of whether you could be British and black did seem a difficult one for many people when I was a teenager. But the old, defunct National Front lost that argument about 20 years before our Olympic summer of 2012. In the 2011 <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;ved=0CC4QFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ethnicity.ac.uk%2Fcensus%2FCoDE-National-Identity-Census-Briefing.pdf&amp;ei=QSBtUrKLFOrV0QXgmoGgCg&amp;usg=AFQjCNEdAjO9PWf4uB74UG5YbDUjiyVbmA&amp;sig2=unUPqjNkIFDKvKkeW_Q_9g&amp;bvm=bv.55123115,d.d2k" title="">census</a>, seven out of 10 ethnic minority respondents chose "British" as their national identity. Only 29% of white respondents ticked that box, most choosing "English". If ethnic minority Britons were to become the only ones still left rallying around the British flag, might we risk reaching the point where there is only black in the union jack?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/28/liberals-englishness-flags-national-holidays">Continue reading...</a>British identity and societyIdentity politicsSocietySt George's DayLife and styleRace issuesUK newsMon, 28 Oct 2013 07:30:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/28/liberals-englishness-flags-national-holidaysPhotograph: Martin Argles/Guardian'Our poll found that non-white English were four times more likely to want to see the St George’s flag flown than not.' Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianPhotograph: Martin Argles/Guardian'Our poll found that non-white English were four times more likely to want to see the St George’s flag flown than not.' Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianSunder Katwala2013-10-28T07:30:05Z